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Thanks - I think your photos are better than mine. Glad you
Nov 15, 2009,12:41 PM
also managed to see the watch as well.
Andrew H
Comments:
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Opus 3: Vianney Halter and Max Busser - The Ghosts in the Machine.
By: 219 : November 14th, 2009-17:20
Some had given up hope, some had wondered where their deposit had gone, and some continued to dream. Where was Opus3 and would it ever work? The concept was brilliant, daring, and so very original. It had put HWRT and Opus on the horological map; it defin...
Herald the birth of the long awaited Opus 3!
By: fernando : November 14th, 2009-20:14
These must be anxious moments for those fortunate few who have waited (and waited) for six long years for this horological marvel to come to fruition.A surprise early X'mas present perhaps? Congrats to the lucky,soon to be owners - your patience will soon...
Wonderful ! Thanks for the real pictures
By: schen : November 14th, 2009-20:27
of this greatest opus, the definitive masterpiece ! What a marvel ! It's so nice that the second countdown is ketp in the final product. How exciting !
Amazing watch!
By: Allen : November 14th, 2009-20:32
A saga that is finally approaching it's finale. Thanks for these pictures, Andrew!
Bravo!
By: SJX : November 14th, 2009-20:44
Thanks for the report Andrew. - SJX
Do we all think is is really cool?
By: Mostel : November 14th, 2009-21:24
Maybe I'm becoming too stodgy in my tastes, but I always feel the need to point out 'the emperor'. This is a wonderful novelty, but.... when the novelty wears off???
Some thoughts
By: SJX : November 15th, 2009-07:34
Hi Mostel, I disagree. The complication of the Opus 3 is simple in concept but difficult to execute and the fact that it was conceived in the first place, and then finally put into production, is an achievement in itself. I would say watches like the Conc...
Thanks, I realize
By: Mostel : November 15th, 2009-18:27
this is no easy feat. But the design.............. is so 'novel.' maybe not in a good way? Yes, an achievement, but maybe like modern art that feels a bit on the empty side? I appreciate your feedabck and know this is not a silly watch, but I feel the urg...
I think SJX has already argued this point eloquently, but for
By: 219 : November 15th, 2009-12:36
my two cents worth. There is a very real complication here that is more than just a novelty. I am one of the most ardent individuals arguing against digital mechanical watches, however, here the disks with numbers do not move, they jump simultaneously and...
Complexity as an end in itself is commendable . . .
By: Dr No : November 15th, 2009-13:08
. . . in exploring the art of the possible, Andrew; I'm less convinced when it comes to practical applications. I agree that the Opus 3 represents a laudable mechanical achievement; gauging by your photos, though, it appears time reading can only be accom...
But nowadays ...
By: cen@jkt : November 15th, 2009-17:18
a watch IS a gadget. Anything more than a simple watch with date is a gadget. Who still use a mechanical chrono to time something important? But then again what are men without their toys? cen@jkt ps. a mistake in our gambling discussion of wsu vs ucla. I...
Touché, Cen . . .
By: Dr No : November 15th, 2009-20:16
. . . although I would've been even more deeply chastised had you left out the qualifier. I'm agreed that mechanical watches are an anachronism . . . once we get beyond pure utility, though, wouldn't you agree there's still a continuum between, say, a mod...
Does it matter?
By: cen@jkt : November 15th, 2009-22:26
Chopard and Cabestan are both toys to me. One is conservative and another is fashion forward. For "pure utility" (I know that this is an oxymoron term), we should maybe look at mechanical watches from Timex or Swatch or any China made. Once you slap a bra...
There is also the point as to where on the continuum a watch
By: 219 : November 15th, 2009-23:55
is designed to fit. Your comment about viewing the time is essentially correct, however, what I would argue with the Opus 3 is that a very complex mechanism is possible. I also argue that research as a process, not necessarily without an end objective is ...
Mostel--I think you have said it best with your simple question
By: tahoeblue : November 15th, 2009-15:07
Certainly impressive horological complications and fortitude in this watch. But at the end of the day it boils down to what I want to wear on my wrist. This might be very cool for the moment, but I don't see that this design would be appealing in the long...
amazing watch
By: didwlgh : November 14th, 2009-21:50
Good to finally see a working implementation of the Opus3. Can't wait to see how much better it will look on the production version. Simply stunning!
Interesting looking watch.
By: Davo : November 14th, 2009-23:50
Like all the Opus models. Looking forward to reading your posts about the others.
Mother of all watches
By: Geo : November 15th, 2009-00:45
of the different time reading models of course. What a watch this is, everything is right. First time I see it in white. Absolutely gorgeous and só wearable. Kudos for keep on trying to get this machine working. GEO
Do I have to ...
By: cen@jkt : November 15th, 2009-01:45
sell body parts to afford it? cen@jkt
Thank you Andrew, yours photos give me a new vision of the watch :))
By: Fred.N : November 16th, 2009-12:31
... I don't know if there are my eyes or emotion to have such a beast in my hands ... but for me, it was very hard to read the information by the apertures despite the magnifying glasses, this Opus was like a LCD screen ... you have to be exactly in front...
I must be a bit too conservative
By: amanico : November 15th, 2009-02:53
If I salute the concept and the efforts put in this watch, it doesn't sing to me, at all. It must be a strange feeling to wear it on the wrist... While I love the original dispaly of Time on some watches like the Opus V, the UN Freak or the AP Starwheel, ...
Seeing the Opus 3 again is like opening a time capsule ...
By: AndrewD : November 15th, 2009-03:38
And it still looks innovative and interesting to me. Congratulations to the new owners and Kudos to Harry Winston. Was Vianney involved at all in the final phase to bring it to fruition, or is he more a concept designer now, rather than movement designer?...
so true...
By: lien : November 15th, 2009-05:51
indeed like opening a time capsule, all kinda mix feelings! kudos to Harry Winston for efforts in keeping this long awaited promise, its very admirable in today's world these boys & gals @ HW r indeed the strong silent type! i sincerely hope futures HWs l...
I'm all for digital, but...
By: Ronald Held : November 15th, 2009-05:58
I think the 1xx and 20X series of Urwerk were all right, but am uncertain about this one. How do you "read" the information on it?
My opinion is about the opposite of yours! The time
By: 219 : November 15th, 2009-12:49
read out is the following: middle column (red numbers) is the date; top row is the hour read out (with second countdown in the top left corner porthole); minutes are on the bottom row: So, in the picture below: 9:37 on the 5th November Andrew H...
I think this is wonderful! It appears it will be well worth the wait.
By: Ed Tonkin : November 15th, 2009-09:08
I am looking forward to seeing the "finished" product as it will most likely have some decoration on the movement. I applaud Harry Winston for sticking with this project; a monumental and very expensive endeavor. It looks very good to me. It appears that ...
That's a COOL watch.
By: VMM : November 15th, 2009-15:40
I thought all the production was sold already. Thanks for the update. I see it as a very funny watch, it looks like a toy to me. Love the overall design. Thanks for sharing. Vte
Brilliant example of micro-mechanical art...
By: Tim Jackson : November 15th, 2009-15:52
Well done HWRT for executing on an amazing project started by those 2 geniuses, Max & Vianney. The horological world is a lot better off for these types of creative artistry. While not everyone's taste from an aesthetic standpoint, I think we all can appr...
Hat off also for the Designer
By: Philippe M : November 16th, 2009-03:45
The merit and the congratulations for achieving this piece shall be shared between all those who have brought their contribution to it ; Vianney Halter for the general concept, Harry Winston for supporting the project for so many years, Renaud & Papi for ...
There are always unsung heroes in projects such as this
By: 219 : November 17th, 2009-08:55
and thanks Phillipe for bring one to our attention. It is as much a triumph for one and all as for the individuals who are named in the press releases and articles such as mine. Thanks again Andrew H
Thank You, Andrew
By: Douglas : November 16th, 2009-06:17
Insightful, and a wonderful report on what I continue to think is an important piece. Best, Douglas